Internal-combustion engine.



VMTENTBD AUG. 4, 190s.

Non "w o. R, RADGLIFPn INTERNAL COMBUSI'ION ENGINE.

PATENTED AUG. 4, 1908.

C R RADCLIFFE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLwATIoN rum: me. s. 1901. @SEEE-Thun ,t

WTNESES/ W TNESSE I .H a Ayawm PATBNTBD AU.4,19os. Ao. R. RADCLIFFE. 4 Y

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

- APPLICATION HLED AUG. s, 1901 INVENTOR NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGXOR TO INTERNATIONAL PAT-EXT COR- tlTY, NEW JERSEY, CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEYY INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

Specification of Letters VPatent. Application tiled August 3. 1967. Serial No.V 386,952.

Patented Aug. 4, 1908.

Ib all whom il may concern:

Be it known that I. CARLTON R. RAD- CLirrE, a citizen of the 'nitcd States, and a resident of-the city of New York, in the county of `Yew York and State of `\'ew York,

have invented `certain new and useful Improvements in gines, of which the following is a speciication.

The invention relates to improvements in internal combustion engines, and particularly to those engines termed two cycle engines, and in which there are three or more cylinders. The invention provides a construction, in which the common practice, of

utilizing the crank case as the receiving.'` chamber for the gas to be introduced into the cylinders. is eliminated. In engines of this general character, as liercinbefore in use,

y it has been customary to allow the combustible mixture to enter the cylinders froln a chamber where the mixture is under a certain degree of pressure. When thereforethe inlet port is opened and the combustible mixture enters the working cylinders, it is obvious, that the pressure of the combustible mixture suddenly drops down to the atmospheric pressure, since the working chamber 1s in communication with the open air b v means of its outlet. It will be observed, therefore, that the work used to obtain the pressure, hereinbefore mentioned, in the. receiving chamber is lost. Another serious defeet of these engines consists in the fact that, since the combustible mixture enters the cylinder under pressure, the larger part of the charge enters the cylinder, when the inlet porto iens. The products of combustion will, t erefore, mingle with the entering 40 fresh charge, whereby the quality of the latter will be impaired. A still further defect of the engines of the character s )ecificd and hereinbefore in use consists in tile fact that the new charge never expels the products of combustion hom the clearance space.

It is now the objectof the present invention to provide :1n-internal combustion engine, in which the combustible charge is under atmospheric pressure or little above atmospheric pressure when the same enters the cylinders of the engine. The pressure being very low or there being atmospheric pressure in the space whcrefrom the charge enters the cylinders, consequently the )ower 5D used for compressing the charge, an( lost Internal-Combus tion Enthe atmospheric pressure, is very `slight. Since the pressure in the chamber, containing the combustible mixture, is very low or there being no pressure at all therein, a small part of the combustible mixture enters the working cylinder, when the inlet port is opened and the amount, entering the cylinder, gradually increases as the port gradually opens, therefore the products of combustion have more time to escape and will not be mixed with the entering new charge.

Means are provided, whereby the roducts of combustion are entirely expelled rom the working cylinders, including also vtheir clearance spaces. Means are also provided whereby in case of a backaire the effect is not a'retarding one as usual in the two cycle engines, and the cycle of t-he engine is not up when a. back-lire occurs. y

Broadly speaking, the invention consists of a )lurality of cylinders of the socalled dou le diametertype. The sistonsworling in the cy linders are also of t-lie double diameter construction, their smaller art lit-4 ting the smaller portion of the cylint ers and forms the working portion, while theirlarger arts fit the larger parts of the cylinders and )y their movement to and fro alternately draw in the combustible mixture from the carbureter and transfer it. to the. working chambers of the )istons.

Adjacent to the cylinders is arranged a suitable chamber, hereinafter to be referred to as the receiving chamber, for receiving thegas from the carburcter, and `connected to the punip chamber of each cylinder,\\'hich connections are con t-rollcd by valves, one for each cvlinder. These valves are )rovidcd in the said connections to prevent tlie mixture from being forced back into thccarbnreter. The pump chamber of each cylinder is on the other hand connected to a second chamber, which connection is again controlled by valves, one for each cylinder. This second chamber will hereinafter be referred to as the distributing chamber.

In each working space of the cylinders is arranged an'inletand au outlet-port, the inlet port making a comnnmication between the distributing chamber and the working space of the cylinders, while the outletports lead into the open air.- The construction of the inlets is such, that one or more of the work'mg spaces of the cylinder;l are always when this very low pressure drops down to 53v 5 V i v895,194

in communication with the distributing chamber. Since the distributing chamber is always through one or more working spaces of the cylinders and their corresponding onilets in communication with the open air, 'it' will be seen,4 that atmospheric pressure or very little above atmospheric pressure exists in the distributing chamber.

The volume of the pump Icylinders is in excess of the volume displaced by the wort-:ing

, pistons, consequently the charge transferre y the pumping pistons will entirely fill the working chamber and also the clearance space of the saine, expelling thus entirely the `products of combustion from the working spaces and clearance spaces of the cylinders. Another ,eicct of the peculiar construction of the inlets, lierebefore mentioned, is thateach pump piston suppliesa given amount of the new charge to t e working spaces, which are in communication at a given tim'e withthe distributing chamber., This fact will 'oe hereinafter more fully described.

The distributing chamber is provided with a plurality ofvaves, opening toward the o en air, and'held in place by springs, which a o w the valves to open when the pressure 'in the distributing chamber becomes too high, for instance when a back-fire occurs in one of the cylinders. A

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical section of an engine taken on 'a plane through the center of one of the cylinders. Fig. .2 is va vertical section taken in a plane through the center of the. cylinders and parallel to the shaft of the er1- gine. Fig. 3 is a top view ofthe engine, and Fig. 4 a side elevation, artly in section, of the same. Figs. 5, 6 an 7 show diagrams of a three cylinder engine, while Figs. 8, 9, 10

and 11 are diagrams of a four cylinder engine.A

In Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, a three cylinder engine is shown. 1-1 indicates the suporting beams of the engine, to which the rame 2 of the latter may be secured 'in any suitable way, and having brackets 3 for tlie tons, their working and pump portions 1T?.

vet

and 13, respectively, iitting the correspond ing portions 6 and 7 of the c linders The usual. packing rings 14 may e supplied to Vmake, an airtight t with the surrounding cylinder walls. A deflector 11' is errang on the top of the pistons 12 to facilitate the scavenging of the cylinders. 15 indicates the connecting rods, connecting the pistons to cranks, and 1'6 designates a fly-wheel secured to the crankshaft of theengine for a purpose well known in the art. Near to the cylinders is located a receiving chamber 17, receiving the combustible mixture from the carbureter' (not shown in the drawings), through a pipe 18` The receivin cham er communicates with the pump cham ers of the cylinders, which communications" are con tiolled by valvesd 20, held under c'hl tension o s rings 21, an o ening towar t e um chaiiibeis of the ciylindeis. When, thereII fore, the pistons move down to the end of j p their wor ing strokes, a combustible mixture is drawn into the pump chambers, which is on the upward stroke of the pistons transferred from the pump chamber to a distributing chamber 22. It will be observed that the pump cylinders have practically no clearance spaces, therefore .a hi h vacuum may be created inthe same.' Til-ie suction on the carbureter will betherefore very strong, which factallows of a wide rangeforthrottlin The distributingicham- 'ber is' located. a ove the said receiving chamber and communicates ith each of the pump chambers of the cylinders and these communications are' again controlled by valves 23, held under the tension of the springs 24. On the upward stroke of the pistons thev combustible mixture will, rst, ie slightly compressed, until its pressure overcomes the tension of the springs24, and since the valves 20 are closed by this pressure, the combustible mixture will then enter the distributing chamber. 25 indicates valves of the distributing chamber which open toward the o en air, and are controlled by springs 26, ai justed so as to allow the opening of the valves, when the pressure in the distributing chamber becomes too high, as for instance, when a back-fire occurs. T lie object of the valves 25 is also to provide means, wliereby'an easy access may be .had to thevalves 20-and'23 and also to their controlling s rings. 2T designates Van i0- niter of suitaiile construction and for a Weill known purpose. The inlet ports are uncovered by the pistons 12 on their downward stroke and closed by the same on their up; ward stroke. The height of the inlet ports is such, that the saine remain open during the travel of the )istons corresponding to an' angular travel oi their cranks of a slig itl greater angle than the angle under whici the cranks of the engine are dis osed.

ln Figs. 5 to 7 diagrams of a t iree cylinder engine are shown, illustrating the dierent positions of the cranks during a part of the revolution of the cranksha t. ln this engine` chambers to all of said combustion chambers and being at all times through one or more ofv said combustion chambers in communication with the atmosphere.

6. In airinternal combustion engine, the

combination 'iyith a plurality of wor "ng cylinders lhavingdnlets, and outlets. located in the saine plane as said inlets but being of a greater height than said inlets, of a plurality of pump cylinders, and valve controlled nieans connecting said pump c linders and said working cylinders and a Ording constant communication between seine one of said pump cylindersl'and some one of said working cylinders.

7. In an internal combustion engine, thecombination with a. plurality of working cylinders having inlets, and outletslocated in the same plane as said inlets but being of a greater height than said inlets, cfa plurality of ump cylinders, and means connecting sai pump cylinders and said working cylinders and affording communication at some point in each cycle between someone of said pump cylinders and e. plurality of said working cylinders.

8. In an internal combustion engine, ther combination with a plurality of Working cylinders having inlets, and outlets'loeated in the same plane as said inlets but'beingof a greater height than said inlets, of a plurality of ump cylinders, and means4 connecting sai pump cylinders and said working cylinders and affording communication at some point in each cycle between a plurality of -said pump cylinders and some one of "said l working cylinders.'

9'. In an internal combustion engine-,the

combination with a plurality ot Working cylinders having inlets, and outlets located in the same plane as said inlets but being of a greater height than said inlets, of a plurality. of' unip'cylinders, and means connecting sai pump cylinders and said working cylinders and affording communication at' 'some point in each cycle between a plurality of said pump cylinders and a plurality of saidworkmg cylinders.

10. In an internal combustion engine', the combinatiouivith a plu raiity of working cylindeis, of a corresponding plurality of pump cylinders located coaxially with said working cylinders, and a communicating assage from all of said pump cylinders to' al of said working cylinders, said passage being at all times through one or more of saidworking cylinders in communication with the'atmosphere;

11.. In an internal combustion engine, the

combination with a plurality of working cylindei's, of a lurality of puni cylinders located coaxia ly with said worliing cylinders, an inlet and an exhaust in said working cyliiiders, a distributing chamber common to greater hei all of said worlring cylinders .and adapted to-be always through one`.or more of said working cylinders in communication with" tlie atmosphere, and a assage leading from each of said pump cyinders'to -said distributing chamber.

12. In an internal combustion engine, the' combination with a plurality of Working cylinders having inlets, and outlets located in the same plane as said inlets but being of a A greater height than said inlets, of a luralit of ump cylinders located coaxia y with. sai Working cylinders, and valve controlled` means connecting said pump cylinders and said Working cylinders and affording .con-

stant communication between some one of' said pump .cylinders and some one of said 'v working cylinders.

18.. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a plurahty of Working cylinders having inlets, and outlets located .in

the saine .plane as said inlets but being of a. Olit than said inlets, of a plurality of pump cylinders located coaxially with said Working cylinders, and means connecting said pump cylinders and said working cylinders`\arid aordinflr communication at some 'point in each cycle between some one of said pump cylinders and a plurality'-osaid'working cylinders.

14. AIn an 'internal combustion engine, the combination with a plurality of working cylinders having inlets,.and.outlets located'in l the same plane as. said inlets but bein'g of a greater height than said inlets, of a'plurality.- i

of pump cylinders located coaxially with said working cylinders, and means connec ting said lpump cylinders and said Working cylinders and affording communication at sonie point .in each -cycle between a plurality of said said pump cylinders and a plurality of saidworkin@Ar cylinders- 16. Ion an internal combustion-engine', tlie f combination with a plurality of working cylindershaving inlets, and outlets located `in the samepla'ne as said inlets but being of a greater' height .han said inlets, of a plurality of pump cylinders, a gas receiving chamber common to all of said pump cylinders, a passage from said gas receiving chamber to cach..l

of said'punip cylinders, .and a communication from all of'said pump cylinders to'all of l i i the atmosphere, and s passage from eachl sage from said gas receiving c amber to cach chambers, and a valved passage from a o said working cylinders and being always through one or more osaid Working cylinders in communication With the atmosphere.

17. ln an internal combustion engine, the Combination ii'itli a plurality of working cyli inders having inlets, and outlets located in the saine plane as said inlets but being of a greater height than said inlets, of a plurality of pump cylinders, a gas receiving chamber common to all o said pump c lindners, a pas` of said pump cylinders, a distributing chamber common to all of said Working cylinders and being alwa s through one or more of said working cylin ers in communication nit-ii 'pump cylinder to said distributing chamber.

18. In an internal combustion engine, a plurality of cylinders, a pumping chamber in each, a combustion chamber in each, a piston separating the pumping chamber from the combustion chamber in each cylinder, a gas receiving chambercommon to all the pumping chambers, a passage from said ges re ceiving chamber to each of said puin ino' said pum ing chambers to all of said combustion c embers' and being at all times through one or more combustion chambers in communication with the atmosphere.

19. In an internal combustion engine,-tlie combination of a pluralit of cylinders, a pumping chamber in each, va combustion chamber in each, a piston separating the pumping chamber from- 'the combustion chamber in each cylinder, a gas receiving chamber common to all the umping chainbers, a valved'passage from t e gas receiving chamber to each pumping chamber, Va distributing chamber common to all of said combustion chambers, a valved passage from each of said pumping chambers to said distributing chamber, a piston controlled passage from said distributing chamber to each of said combustion chambers, and a valve in said distributing chamber and adapted to release an undue pressure from the combustioncham ers.

20. In an internal coinbustioi'sl` engine, a. n

plurality of cylinders, each` cylinderffavmg tufo distinct and different internal diameters,

a'piston for each of said cylinders, each pis cf the respective cylinder, said cylinder foiming acombustion chamber at the end of each piston, a pumping chamber around each is-4 Y ton, and a communicating assage from a of sazd umpc linders to al of said working-U Y c 'liiii.ers anc being always through one or 60 more of said' combustion chainbeis in communication with the atmosphere.

21. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a .pluralit chamber in each, a piston separating the pumping chamber from the combustion` chamber in each cylinder, a gas receiving chamber common to all the pumping chambers, a valved passage leading from the gas receiving chamber to eacli pumping chamber a distributing chamber-common to all of sai combustion chambers and being at all times through one or more -of said combustion chambers in communication with the etincsphere, a valved passavefroni each pumping chamber to said distributing chamber, and a passage from said distributing chamber to each combustion chamber.

22. ln an internal cdmbustion engine, the

combustion chambers and being at all times through one or more of the combustion chambers in communication with the atmosphare, a yalved passa uting chamber to each combustion chamber.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 31stday of July, A.. D. 1907.

' CARLTON R. RADcLnFE,

Witnesses:

Siemmn HERZOG, S. BmNBAUNN.

of cylinders, a pumping chamber 1n eac i, a combustion 6b in each cylinder, a gas receiving 85 ffe from erich pumping chamber to said distributing chamber-,end a piston controlled passage from seid distrib- 

